USAC: $140,000 'Summer Sizzle '99' Midget Race
7 October 1998
INDIANAPOLIS (October 7, 1998) -- The spectacular 16th Street Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., which opened to enthusiastic reception in 1997 and has hosted USAC midget racing the past two seasons, will play host to the world's largest, richest Midget race ever next July 7-10."Summer Sizzle '99," under the auspices of the United States Auto Club and in conjunction with other sanctioning bodies, will showcase the nation's top open-wheel talent in four nights of racing on the exciting 1/4-mile dirt track with total prize money of $140,000, eclipsing all previous Midget racing purses since the sport began in the early-1930s.
"We're ecstatic about our involvement in this historic event," said USAC President John Capels. "Midget racing has long been one of America's most exciting and popular forms of motorsport and it's gratifying to see it receive this type of support and to see its participants reap the benefits. Encompassing this event under the USAC umbrella bolsters not only our claim as the "starting line of champions" but as the avenue to racing's pinnacle - the Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Racing League."
The driver who wins "Summer Sizzle '99" will earn $20,000 plus accessory and other bonuses and the $1,200 guarantee to start the Saturday night feature event is unprecedented.
A special format will be utilized to determine starting lineups and advancement to the Saturday night finale. A special drawing will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at the starting line of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to set the original lineups and racing action will begin that night and continue through Saturday.
Emmett Hahn, whose expertise has been instrumental in presenting the annual "Chili Bowl Nationals" at Tulsa, Oklahoma each January, will be heavily involved in this event in the areas of track preparation as well as promotion.
Track marketing director Kenny Allison added: "We felt it was time for us to present a signature event. We recognize the fact that, although the quality of our racing has always remained at the highest level, the economics of the sport have limited the numbers of participants. We hope that this event will entice many more to be a part of what will surely become one of America's most spectacular motorsports programs."
